Team starts filling roster with leader on blue line

Wednesday

Jul 10, 2013 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - The Thunder had a busy two days.

Scott Linesburgh

STOCKTON - The Thunder had a busy two days.

A day after hiring its new president, the ECHL franchise announced its first player signing for the 2013-14 season. Defenseman Shawn Boutin will return to the team after signing a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Boutin, 23, played on last season's Stockton squad that won the National Conference and advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals before losing to Reading in five games. A tough, physical defender, he did not score in 69 regular-season games but picked up his offense in the postseason with two goals and six assists in 23 games.

"I'm really happy to come back to Stockton for this next season," Boutin said in a statement released by the team. "The reasons to come back are many: the fans, the way we're treated around the area and the winning mentality of the team. I can't wait to see everybody for another season."

Boutin is an important part of maintaining a successful team in Stockton, according to Thunder owner Brad Rowbotham.

"He's a reliable player and a great person," Rowbotham said. "It's a great way to start our defense off. It's somebody we can count on already. I talked to him on the phone and we worked it all out. It's great to have him back."

Rowbotham has handled most of the player issues while he searches for a new coach to replace Matt Thomas, who departed for the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Rowbotham said he is still looking at a list of candidates but will not rush into a decision.

"I could hire a coach just like that, no problem. But we want it to be the right coach," he said. "We need somebody that can recruit players, that's the biggest thing. We want a coach that can win and can help players move up and eventually play in the AHL. Matt was very good at that, and that's the type of coach players want to play for."

The Thunder begins its ninth season when it hosts Colorado on Oct. 19 at Stockton Arena.